Fates sealed for Walsall players

Walsall's out-of-contract stars have been warned their fates are sealed as manager Chris Hutchings begins to finalise his summer plans.

The Saddlers boss is already looking to next season and his plans to strengthen the team to improve on this year's inconsistent League One campaign.

A number of players are waiting on whether they will be offered new deals at the Banks's Stadium but, ahead of tomorrow's visit of Tranmere, time to earn them has seemingly run out.

Hutchings said: "Not everyone is going to stay here at the end of the season. Everyone has to impress from the first game. It's not just about now, you are not going to judge players on the last six games.

"It's what they produce during the season. People are playing for their livelihoods and sometimes I don't know whether some players realise that.

"If they are not going to be at this club they've got to make an impression on someone watching from another team.

"The lads will know after the last game of the season, but I'm not going to divulge anything now."

Hutchings tied down Troy Deeney last year and is still negotiating with Manny Smith but must also make decisions on the likes of Clayton Ince, Alex Nicholls, Mark Bradley and Dwayne Mattis.